Monday, June 27, 2016

Hello all! I am alive and well! We had a really good week! Sorry this is so short but we are going bowling!

Transfer calls are this week and I'm about 98% sure I am getting transferred but I'm not sure where. I'm thinking over in the mountains in Eagle or Steamboat but I'm not sure. I will let you all know as soon as possible. If you are sending anything, keep in mind the holiday weekend coming up!

I will be sending pictures of the week!

Love,

Hermana Voss

1) Who says missionaries don't have fun?

2)Sister Bendorf and I at her last Sister's Conference! I LOVE her!

3) I love Colorado clouds. You can reach out and touch them, i swear!

4) Zuni District Sisters! I love these sisters so much!

1) President and Sister Murdock's farewell. We will miss them dearly. But I'm excited to meet President and Sister Gifford :)

Monday, June 20, 2016

This week was so so so so SO amazing. We saw miracles and I testify that the work truly is hastening and that despite the intensely hard times on the mission, they are all worth it when we get to watch people come unto Christ and make covenants with the Lord.

This is a short email because we have a lot to get done and I'm feeling a tad under the weather after the amazing week we had so I'm gonna go take a nap!

Monday, June 13, 2016

First things first, Sister Bendorf and I had some unique experiences this week. We had a young woman tell us all about how her best friend was going to get into a fist fight and she was getting roped into it.... we had a "parenting" experience as we talked to her for an hour and convinced her to stand up, call her friend, and tell her not to do something so silly and dangerous. At church, she came up to us, hugged us, and told her that she convinced her friend not to do it! haha so if we are not doing anything else, at least we are preventing planned teen fights... phew...

We also had an intense lesson with a family who is very Christian, but their 12 year-old son is an atheist. He was very tough and bold as he interrupted us about a sentence into our lesson saying "I have a confession". He then continued to tell us that God did not exist and that everything about religion was just a made up story. His mom was appalled and started to argue with him, but we just listened. We shared personal experiences, and testified of the reality of our Heavenly Father. We told him of God's love for him, and allowed him to get a bunch of questions off his chest. We uncovered a lot of deeper, hidden doubts that he had. Instead of arguing, we just encouraged him to pray. At the end of the lesson, he got on his knees with us to pray. He thanked us for listening to him and answering all his questions. We are going back this week.

A miracle we saw this week was with praying for a family. We have specifically been praying to find a family of 4 and we found them!!! It started with our volunteering at the homework club at Stein Elementary. Because of that, we were recognized by a ton of elementary school students in an apartment parking lot (they continue to flock and swarm whenever we pull up) haha. Through one of the little girls that always talks to us (Brianna), we found her family. The dad, Lolo, is an alcoholic but after being in jail, has such a desire to turn his life around. He has started to read in the Book of Mormon, and at our lesson yesterday, he wanted to say the prayer! His wife Leticia, has a heart of gold. We are also teaching Lolo's cousin, Everardo, who asked if he could say the closing prayer in the lesson.

This area is just exploding. I cannot express my gratitude. We are so tired every day, but I am eternally indebted to my Savior.

Yesterday I was truly moved at our fast and testimony meeting. In my home ward there is ALWAYS that awkward 5 min silence where no one goes up to give their testimony. And then, some poor soul usually an auxiliary leader or presidency member, decides, "Welp, no one else gonna crack the ice so i might as well." And they go up and sacrifice themselves as the first ones so that everyone else has the guts to go up. That is hardly the case in the ward I am in right now. There are people walking up as soon as the one presiding says "the time is now yours". It's like a mad (reverent) dash to the podium. These people are just so excited to share what they know to be true and it is so amazing. Sometimes they share about how their dog came with them from Mexico, but the joy in their testimonies is contagious! I encourage each and every one of you to do just that. Don't be afraid to say what you know to be true. Because good news, 98% of the people in the room believe the same thing but are still edified. And those who don't know WILL come to know it through the Holy Ghost! Think about it next fast and testimony Sunday!

I love you all and hope all is well. Thank you all for your undying love and support this last year. I can't believe I only have 6 months left. I am so sad but I am also so grateful for the miracles I have been able to see and the small impact I have made through the guidance of Heavenly Father. I love being an instrument in his hands.

I love every single one of you dearly!

Love,

Hermana Voss

PS- On a side note. My dear friends and family. I ask that you please pray for those who were injured and killed in the massacre in Orlando of the those of the LGTBQ orientation this last week. Even if you do not agree with their way of life, they are human, and more importantly CHILDREN of our Heavenly Father. My companion and I were appalled to hear about this awful hate crime. We are all different but we are all children of God and all deserve to be treated as such, no matter what gender, creed, sexual orientation etc.

1) first run in MONTHS! It was sooooooo good!

2) I got my year mark papers! wooohooo! Talk about inspiring and rallying!

Monday, June 6, 2016

This week has been so great. We are working so hard and seeing miracles because of it. Our people are progressing.

As I approach my one year mark in the field I have found myself asking Heavenly Father, "What lack I yet?" I want to be the best missionary I can possibly be and I'm willing to do anything to get there. I realize that these last couple months I have been with Hna. Bendorf I have been able to change so much and get accustomed to those changes. And now I know its time for more change and Heavenly Father is ready to do more with me and it makes me really excited! Let me tell you, be careful what you ask for because the Lord WILL tell you if you are persistent enough. I have never felt so inadequate but so valued at the same time. I love the concept of change and bettering ones self to be like Christ!

I hope you all have the time to ask yourselves, "What lack I yet?" And be ready with some paper and pencil!